CULVER CITY, Calif.,
Feb. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- 3net,
the joint venture television network from Sony Corporation,
Discovery Communications and IMAX Corporation today announced that
DIRECTV will be the first distributor to launch 3net, the 24/7 3D
network, beginning February 13, 2011.
3net will initially be available to millions of DIRECTV
customers across the country.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20080918/NETH035LOGO
)
3net will go live at 8:00 PM ET on
DIRECTV (channel 107) with a primetime slate featuring world
premieres of new, one-hour, native 3D original programs CHINA
REVEALED and FORGOTTEN PLANET, in addition to the world
3D television premiere of INTO THE DEEP 3D.
Throughout February, the network will offer an unprecedented
rollout of original 3D series and new program debuts every night at
9:00 PM ET.
3net will deliver compelling, native 3D content to the
marketplace and thus serve as a critical driver for consumer
adoption of in-home 3D entertainment. The partnership's
commitment to the emerging 3D market is historic, with plans for
the channel to offer viewers the largest library of native 3D
entertainment content in the world by the end of 2011.
"Today's announcement marks the culmination of a dynamic
collaboration, and we are very proud of what has been accomplished
in the seven short months since the network began its development,"
said Tom Cosgrove, 3net's President
and Chief Executive Officer. "DIRECTV is the leader in
meeting consumer demand for video entertainment and has clearly
been an industry innovator in 3D. We are proud to partner
with DIRECTV on this historic launch and bring compelling, original
3D programming and key content from our partners to DIRECTV
subscribers across the country on a 24/7 basis."
"Quality 3D programming is vital to the success and increased
adoption of the technology, and with industry leaders like
Discovery, Sony and IMAX making a commitment to this category, it
is clear that 3D is here to stay and is only going to get better,"
said Derek Chang, executive vice
president, Content Strategy and Development, DIRECTV. "We are
excited to be the first distributor to announce the launch of 3net
and we look forward to continuing to provide our customers with the
largest and most compelling 3D programming lineup available."
"The broad availability of high-quality, native 3D content is a
critical step towards consumers fully embracing 3D," said Rob
Wiesenthal, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer,
Sony Corporation of America. "Beginning February 13, a deep and diverse array of great 3D
programming will be available in the home 24 hours a day.
3net is an important element in our strategy to maintain a
leadership position in all things 3D."
"Discovery's business strategy has always focused on delivering
groundbreaking content through new platforms and technologies.
The launch of 3net represents a giant leap in our march to
bring audiences the closest-to-real viewing experiences," said
David Zaslav, President and CEO,
Discovery Communications.
"3net brings together three global brands with a single mission
-- to deliver premium 3D entertainment experiences to audiences in
the comfort of their own homes," said Richard L. Gelfond, CEO of IMAX. "We are proud
to embark on this new venture with Sony and Discovery, and we
believe that our popular library of breathtaking IMAX content is in
great company with the range of compelling programming from our
partners."
3net Premiere Night Schedule (all times Eastern):
CHINA REVEALED (8:00
PM)
China's beauty is little seen,
often hidden and always surprising. This hour-long series
explores the thronging cities, epic vistas and spiritual heartlands
of this huge and mysterious nation in stunning 3D. Produced
by Natural History New Zealand Ltd.
INTO THE DEEP 3D (9:00
PM)
This IMAX special takes audiences on a spectacular
three-dimensional exploration of the undersea world. Using the IMAX
3D camera in its underwater housing for the first time, this film
captures unique marine life and magnificent underwater vistas.
FORGOTTEN PLANET (10:00
PM)
Explore the strangest places on earth -- once vibrant cities now
completely devoid of all humanity. This series of one-hour
programs imagines the world humans will one day leave behind by
exploring what we've already abandoned. Produced by Flight 33
Productions.
DIRECTV delivers more 3D programming than any other distributor
with its suite of dedicated 3D channels. DIRECTV HD customers
received a free software upgrade that enables them to have access
to the 3D channels on DIRECTV. DIRECTV HD customers will need a 3D
television set and 3D glasses to view 3D programming on DIRECTV.
For more information on DIRECTV's 3D programming platform, please
visit: www.DIRECTV.com/3D.
About 3net
3net, the joint venture of Sony Corporation, Discovery
Communications and IMAX Corporation brings together three of the
world's leading media, technology and entertainment companies to
bring a fully programmed, 24/7 3D network to U.S. television
audiences. The three partners bring an extraordinary
collection of award-winning 3D content, technology and production
expertise, television distribution and operational strength to the
project, with a mission to bring viewers the highest quality and
most immersive in-home 3D viewing experience possible. The
channel will feature the most extensive library of 3D content in
the world, featuring genres that are most appealing in 3D,
including natural history, documentary, action/adventure, travel,
history, hyper-reality, lifestyle and cuisine, concerts, movies,
scripted series and more. For more information, please visit
www.3net.com.
About DIRECTV
DIRECTV (Nasdaq: DTV) is the world's most popular video service
delivering state-of-the-art technology, unmatched programming, the
most comprehensive sports packages available and industry leading
customer service to its more than 25 million customers in the U.S.
and Latin America. In the U.S., DIRECTV offers its 18.56
million customers the capacity for more than 200 HD channels in
Dolby 5.1 theater-quality sound, access to exclusive sports
programming such as NFL SUNDAY TICKET™, award winning technology
like its DIRECTV® DVR Scheduler and higher customer satisfaction
than the leading cable companies for nine years running.
DIRECTV Latin America, through its subsidiaries and affiliated
companies in Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Venezuela, Colombia, and other Latin American countries,
leads the pay-TV category in technology, programming and service,
delivering an unrivaled digital television experience to 6.5
million customers. DIRECTV sports and entertainment
properties include three Regional Sports Networks (Northwest, Rocky
Mountain and Pittsburgh) as well
as a 65 percent interest in Game Show Network. For the most
up-to-date information on DIRECTV, please call 1-800-DIRECTV or
visit directv.com.
SOURCE Discovery Communications